I considered posting this in the Fuel Injection forum, but since I only care about answers that relate to FE's it seemed like I really should post it here.

Anybody got any opinions about the different levels of ignition systems that MSD offers and what they do for the car relative to a carb and relative to a conventional coil
- "Run Alone" Distributor
- Distributor and MSD 6
- Distributor and digitally computer editable MSD 7
- Fully digital system with crank sensor and cam sensor with "coil per plug"

Does having an individual coil per plug really make much difference? Will it run cleaner or get better mileage?

Peter

 

Take a look at FAST fuel injection's website. It's OK for a website, and they don't describe everything, but they have just about anything you could want for any level of fuel injection - including coil on plug, for any motor.

 

I replaced the Duraspark ignition in my new 390. I have an MSD 6A controller, an MSD Pro-Billet Ford FE Distributor and an MSD Blaster SS coil. I had problems with the stock ignition so I went with MSD. It was simple to hook up and took a little time tuning but works great. It starts better in cold weather and runs well at all RPMs. Much better than stock and more power.

 

Thanks Tom. Using that setup you used the mechanical weights in the dizzy for timing - right?

 

The springs are for advance curve, since there is no vacuum control on the distributor. I used the two light silver springs and the red bushing (advance stop). The initial timing is set at 12 degrees BTDC. With the red bushing (smallest) that gives me approximately 28 crankshaft degrees (centrifugal advance). So 12 degrees initial timing plus 28 crankshaft degrees is 38-40 degrees total. This is for a stock 390. You might have to try different spring combinations if you have performance parts on your engine.

 

Thanks - that's what I thought. Did you ever consider going to the digital box and locking out the mechancial advance?

Peter

 

Not at this time. This is the basic set-up that MSD recommended for my application. For my stock 390, this ignition is light years ahead of the 30 plus years old Ford Duraspark. Lots of people still use the Duraspark but I was having trouble with mine. Some days it would run good and the next day it wouldn't start at all. Maybe in the future if I start to modify my engine I might upgrade to a digital box. For right now this set-up is working great.

 

I have to agree with Tom here. I have the pro-billit dist with the 6AL box and the blaster 2 coil. Great setup IMO. I have RPM heads and intake and a Holley 750 carb with headers on my 40 over 390. Truck really moves. No need to get the digital stuff unless you go crazy on the motor and plan to race.

 

Thanks for the input. I think I'm heading that way. I'll start looking on ebay for a cheap MSD 6 box. There are several boxes in the 6 series - anyone go any input on which works best?

Peter

 

The 6A is the basic 6 series multiple spark box, the 6AL adds a soft touch rev control, the 6T has vibration mounts and a soft touch rev control hook up, the 6ALN has extra vibration protection, and the 6BTM has a boost timing master for ignition retard under boost(suoer or turbo-charging).
HTH

 

Thanks - that's exactly what I needed. The MSD sight is really tought to figure out what's what. How's the soft touch rev control work - is it a rev limiter?

Peter

 

Yes, it is a rev limiter. It cuts out a different cylinder with each group of 8 pulses to prevent loading up fuel in the cylinders. Most limiters simply shut off the ignition and then refire when the RPM drops a certain amount, that can cause a VERY big bang from excess fuel in the cylinders. The Soft Touch will simply hold the RPM at the module's RPM(uses modules that plug in).

 

I use the 6AL and a fixed curve timeing cpmputer with the stock DuraSpark dist that has had the mech advance locked out with a Holley phasing kit. I like the setup very much. The init. timing is set to 15 degrees and with the 20 degrees from the timing advance controller I have 35 degrees total.
My setup is:
396cid with Edel 750CFM CARB, RPM heads and RPM intake as well as RPM cam. TRW forged piston and 9.68:1 CR.

 

RandyB12,

You've a very similar set up to mine. You've going to have to explain your ignition set to me. What "fixed curve timing computer" are you using and how does a "Holley phasing kit" work?

Peter

 

OK, I found your web site and I figured out the "fixed curve timing computer" from MSD. Why stick with the Duraspark and not replace with an MSD distributor designed to work with the MSD 6?

Peter